We divided into two groups to facilitatediscussion. As arranged
Alex Foxon, resident of Polsted Road (who had until recently alsobeen
a plot holder) came during the meeting to introduce discussion about proposals
to improvethe condition of the
surface of Polsted Road.

Discussion on the topics continued throughout the evening (7.30-8.50)
latterly supported by cake and squash kindly provided by members. At the
end of the evening we looked at seeds and sundries for swapping-again kindly
provided by members. In discussion we agreed that it had been a worthwhile
occasion but were disappointed at the extremely low attendance. The points
raised in discussion are recorded below

Points raised in discussion to be passed on to the
landlord.

1.Clear plots
before re-letting of serious dumping (e.g. engines, tyres, broken glass) so
that the plot is safe

2.The trees
that are on the boundary of the site and plot PAB3 still need attention-
dangerous branches.

3. Please
maintainthe clear path/access for
plot-holders from Kentwood Hill to the site. This is designated for plot-holders
to use to access the site but is being kept clear by plot-holders.;

Points raised in discussion to be passed on to the committee
of the Society

1.Untidy
plots—broken glass and rubbish. What can be done?

2.Suggest to
new tenants that there should be no glass used- e.g. not glass in greenhouses

3. Visitors
(small boys) have been seen heading towards the old piggeries on the reserved
land- Safety issues.

Polsted
Road Surface: Discussion introduced by Alex
Foxon

Jenny explained that she had invited Alex to the meeting
to aid discussion following his request to herfor help with funding repairs and the matter had been reported
in Dig It. The discussion this evening would help the committee make the
decision -the next scheduled meeting is mid- April. Alex explained that he wasasking
for a donation from the Tilehurst Allotments Society or possibly from
individual members to improve the road surface. The Polsted Road residents aim
to repair the road this Spring. It was last repaired about 7 years ago and is
now in a very poor state. The
proposal is to hire a contractor to scrape off the surface,
mix it with scalpings or similar and replace and roll down. Included in the
cost would be some annual maintenance. This one-off cost will be roughly £6000 -this
is what we were being asked to contribute to. Later costs would be the
responsibility of residents. The deterioration of the surface might be partly caused by lack of drainage:water run off the roofs of the terraced houses torun down
the road- this matter will be addressed by individual owners. The road will be
cambered to minimisestanding water
problems

Whilst owners whose property
fronts the road are responsible for its maintenance, the
residents are asking for a donation from all who use the
road as a neighbourly gesture. Berkshire metalsand the Church have
pledged to contribute 10% or £1000.00 each (in practice this would be £600 each
yielding £1,200). This would leave say £4,800 to be raised by residents (there
are roughly 25 houses) and possibly others such as the Society and the Charity.
Jenny had already suggested in response to Alex’s request that the residents
should also ask the owners of the allotment site (the Charity) for a
contribution. Alex did not confirm that this had been done.

After Alex had left, discussion
ranged across best way to look after the road and avoid further deterioration,
precisely who owned what, easement rights, what the Society does with its
money, etc.Since the meeting (when it
was clear that there are several different views on the matter), officers of the committee decided to send out a
questionnaire to all members asking their views asap.